The 2026 back-to-school season is the ideal opportunity to refresh your wardrobe with pieces that effortlessly cross contexts. At Appart17, we have designed the 2026 men's back-to-school look around a simple principle: every outfit must be able to transition from the office to the bar, from Friday night to Saturday morning, without changing your entire register. Five complete looks, built around our Selected Homme and Les Deux selections, to dress up your return with precision and without clutter.
Look 1 — The Monday meeting that sets the tone
Occasion: Office, client meeting, business lunch.
We start the week with pleated twill trousers, a slightly loose fit that asserts itself without being cumbersome. Over them, a Selected Homme shirt in lightweight poplin, classic collar, neatly tucked into the trousers. The structured but unlined jacket bridges the gap between the rigor of tailoring and the comfort of a long day. On the feet, a smooth leather derby — sober, effective. This look says what it has to say without raising its voice. That is precisely what the men's casual chic back-to-school style is: competence that doesn't need to justify itself.
Look 2 — Casual Friday (but still sharp)
Occasion: End of the week at the office, afterwork, gallery or exhibition opening.
The straight-cut raw denim from Les Deux — not too slim, not too wide — is the pivot piece of this second look. We pair it with a fine mercerized cotton turtleneck from Selected Homme, in sand or slate depending on your skin tone, and an unstructured suit jacket worn open. No tie, no matching belt: the proposal is deliberately lightened. This look works just as well at 10 a.m. in an open-plan office as it does at 8 p.m. over a drink. Discover our men's trousers and jeans to build this base to your own measurements.
Look 3 — Saturday in the city, between two destinations
Occasion: Errands, brunch, shopping, urban stroll.
Here, we drop the tailoring and focus on the material. A Selected Homme chino in brushed twill, tapered fit with a slight high waist, paired with a Les Deux crewneck sweatshirt in thick cotton — not a gym sweat, a wardrobe sweat. Over it, a water-repellent nylon jacket, short cut, which responds to the whims of the Brussels sky without sacrificing the silhouette. Flat-soled sneakers, no intrusive logo. This look doesn't try too hard — that's its strength. It adapts to the city without being lost in it.
Look 4 — The Sunday night dinner that looks like something
Occasion: Dinner with friends, neighborhood restaurant, relaxed but polished evening.
A men's shirt in washed oxford, button-down collar, slightly oversized — worn untucked over fine corduroy trousers. The washed oxford shirt from Selected Homme is exactly the kind of piece you wear often because it solves problems: it dresses you up without being imposing, it wrinkles well, and it ages better than expected. The color — terracotta, deep khaki green, or navy blue depending on your mood — does the work of distinction. No need for complex accessories: a watch, tassel loafers, or Chelsea boots are enough. Explore our men's shirts to find yours.
Look 5 — The transition look, between two seasons and two states of mind
Occasion: Mixed day, meeting in the morning and relaxation in the afternoon, short trip.
The back-to-school period is also that time when the temperatures are undecided. This fifth look responds to this in-between with a clear logic of layering. Base: a thick pima cotton t-shirt, off-white or heather gray. Over it: a Les Deux overshirt in brushed cotton twill, worn as an intermediate piece. Over that (or under the arm, depending on the weather): a lightweight Selected Homme overcoat in a wool blend, straight cut, mid-thigh length. Slim jeans in a light rinse to lighten the whole ensemble. This look illustrates what we mean by men's office attire in Brussels: a wardrobe that speaks the language of the city — practical, thoughtful, without rigidity.
How to build your back-to-school wardrobe at Appart17
These five looks share a common logic: well-cut pieces, honest materials, a coherent palette that allows for effortless rotation. At Appart17, we select Selected Homme and Les Deux precisely because they meet this requirement — collections designed to fit together, not to accumulate. The Selected Homme 2026 collection marks, in particular, an evolution towards more generous cuts in the upper body, with slightly structured shoulders that dress without weighing you down. Les Deux, for its part, continues to offer a Scandinavian vision of the men's wardrobe: refined, functional, never boring.
To build your own version of these looks, start by identifying your missing pieces — often a good pair of trousers or a quality shirt is enough to shift an outfit into a higher register. We are here to guide you, both in-store and online.
Find our full selection on appart17.be or come and discover our pieces in our three shops at Rue des Grands Carmes 11, 15 and 17 in Brussels.
